This year’s Pakistan International Screen Awards concluded on Friday with dazzling red carpet looks, electrifying performances, emotional winning speeches and a bit of controversy.
Remember when several celebrities, including Osman Khalid Butt and Nadia Afgan, had complained how PISA organisers had abandoned them in Dubai last year? Now the Baluch Twins, who were nominated for Singer of the Year award, have come forward with allegations of discrimination against PISA.
They have posted a long note on their social media accounts, accusing PISA of ditching them at the last minute.
According to the performers, the organisers had been in contact with them for three months and they were supposed to leave for Dubai on Thursday. However, they received a message on Tuesday informing them that their tickets had been cancelled by Emirates
According to the performers, the organisers had been in contact with them for three months and they were supposed to leave for Dubai on November 4. However, they received a message on November 2 informing them that their tickets had been cancelled by Emirates. The brothers then went to the Emirates office to confirm their flight status and found that their tickets were neither cancelled nor refunded.
“The coordination team misinformed us about cancellation,” said the Baluch Twins. They didn’t hear back from the organisers despite being promised that the problems would be resolved.
The Baluch Twins still arrived at the airport on November 4 and had their coronavirus tests done, but they were not allowed to board the flight as their tickets had been “deliberately refunded”.
“A number of people from the Gulf states, especially Muscat, Al Ain, Sharjah and Dubai, who bought tickets of PISA just to appreciate us and experience the representation of the Baloch community will be left disappointed.”
The performers added that they have been left “traumatised and shattered”. “We believe this was done deliberately by PISA’s team. It is highly unethical. They kept on ignoring our messages even after reading them, all of this was unreasonable. All the other artists were boarded on the same flight, while we just kept waiting.”
The PISA awards were held at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena in Dubai on Friday. It was attended by big names from television, fashion and social media.
Winners
Digital Content
Most Entertaining Instagram Celebrity — Romaisa Khan
Best Use of Humour on Social Media — Arsalan Naseer
YouTuber of the Year — Ducky Bhai
Vlogger of the Year — Shahveer Jafry
TikToker of the Year — Jannat Mirza
Fashion
Bridal Couture Designer of the Year — Nomi Ansari
Pret A Porter Designer/Brand of the Year — Khaadi
Model of the Year — Fahmeen Ansari
Music
Song of the Year — ‘Uchiyaan Dewaraan (Baari 2)’ by Bilal Saeed & Momina Mustehsan
Singer of the Year —- Aima Baig for ‘Te Quiero Mucho’
Television
Best Title Track/OST — Ishq Kiya (Drama Ishqiya) by Asim Azhar
Best Writer — Zanjabeel Asim Shah (Drama Pyaar Ke Sadqay)
Best Director — Farooq Rind (Drama Pyaar Ke Sadqay)
Best TV Serial — Pyaar Ke Sadqay
Best TV Actor (Popular) — Feroze Khan (Drama Ishqiya)
Best TV Actor (Critics Award) — Mohib Mirza (Drama Dushman e Jaan)
Best TV Actress (Popular) — Sara Khan (Drama Sabaat)
Best TV Actress (Critics Award) — Sonya Hussyn (Drama Saraab)
Best Supporting Actor — Ahmed Ali Butt (Drama Jhooti)
Best Supporting Actress — Hina Altaf (Drama Bandhay Aik Dor Say)